What is the primary function of the Domain Name System (DNS) in network security?

The primary function of the Domain Name System (DNS) is to translate domain names into IP addresses. This process is essential for the functioning of the internet, as users typically access websites via human-readable names, such as www.example.com, rather than numeric IP addresses like 192.0.2.1. When a user types a domain name into their web browser, the DNS resolution process occurs, whereby the DNS server converts that domain into its corresponding IP address, allowing the user's device to locate and connect to the necessary web server.

This translation function is crucial for network security because it facilitates legitimate communications and connections across the internet. By ensuring that the correct IP addresses are resolved for requested domain names, DNS helps to maintain the integrity of network communications and can also play a role in mitigating certain types of cyber threats, such as phishing, by blocking malicious domain requests.

While other options might touch on aspects of network security, they do not accurately reflect the fundamental role of DNS in this context. For instance, securing network connections and monitoring traffic involve different mechanisms and systems beyond the DNS's primary functionality.